New Releases by Don L

Missouri Railroads: A Modern Crossroads 1921-2023 delves into the rich history of Missouri's railroads during their second century. From the roaring 1920s, when opulent "Limited" passenger trains crisscrossed the state, to the tumultuous times of the Great Depression and World War II, this book captures the essence of an era. As the postwar years unfolded, Missouri's railroads faced realignments and challenges. The mid-twentieth century witnessed shifts in routes, technologies, and passenger preferences. Against this backdrop, the book explores how the railroads adapted in the face of uncertainty. Stunning historical images--over 100 in color--breathe life into this transformative period and bring the story to the present day. Missouri Railroads goes beyond the history of a single state and its railroads to illustrate Missouri's vital role in shaping American railroading. These railroad companies mirrored national trends, yet each twist and turn carries a distinct local flavor. Authors Don L. Hofsommer and Carlos A. Schwantes weave a captivating narrative that celebrates Missouri's contribution to the broader American story.

As the Cold War draws to a close, new issues inevitably have begun to surface in U.S.-Soviet relations. This reader brings together Soviet and U.S. perspectives on the broad range of challenges that both nations now face. Within the context of a "debate" format that presents parallel U.S. and Soviet views, these timely readings illustrate areas of cooperation and conflict and weigh policy similarities and differences. Topics covered include Soviet-U.S. relations after the Cold War, military and national security debates, and the changing international economic environment. The selections also consider the impact that the evolving Soviet-U.S. interaction is having on the "new" Europe and the developing world. The volume concludes by considering the direction the superpower relationship may take in the future. Students of Soviet and U.S. foreign policy will find this text invaluable in unraveling the complexities of U.S.-Soviet relations.

This is perhaps one of the most interesting books in the history of writing on human behavior, of how people think and feel and not hold back. For those who do not understand what gonzo writing is, you are now about to enter a world of reality in a comical way. There are many subjects that I talk about. A lot of my stories are very controversial. I speak on issues in such a unique way that you wont be able to help but continue to read page after page to see whats next. Ninety percent of this book is true stories. Ten percent is imagination at work. All my stories are poetic. When it comes to grammar, we have good and bad. When it comes to sarcasm and humor, bad grammar is definitely where its at. This book is loaded with humor. I give in-depth detail on what I think of the bad guy, technology, common sense, bedroom activities, relationships in general. This book will enlighten everyone who reads it as to the way it is. This is very educational and comical at the same time. When it comes to unique and different, this is like no other. I do tend to put my personality into what Im writing about. I like to call it artistic writing with raw emotion. If I am not mistaken, I am the only poet in history to give insight on the back of each one as to what compelled the writer to write what he did. This is always interesting to know. I also think this book is going to sell so well it will be printed in other languages and sold around the world.

Genuinely talented and successful managers in any field—business, government, military, academia—are scarce. John Howard Burdakin was a happy exception to the norm. This engaging biography examines Burdakin’s life in the railroad industry—at Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and finally at Grand Trunk Corporation—during a tumultuous time in the transportation business and underscores his core principles and how he employed them in the management of people and property. Some contemporary observers may consider Burdakin’s often conservative style as quite out of date, but a more sober assessment reveals that his approach has utility in any time and in any field. An excellent resource for leadership professionals, this study focuses on Burdakin’s career in management, ever stressing his foundational convictions—how he came by them, how he employed those principles as a manager, and how they were understood by those who worked for him or with him. Through teamwork, trust, hard work, honesty, diligence, and integrity, Burdakin would become respected as one of the railroad industry’s brightest guiding lights.

A railway history expert "vividly portrays a way of life no longer seen. A fascinating insight into historical American railroading" ( Railways Illustrated). In this visually stunning and comprehensive photographic essay, railroad historian and photographer Donovan L. Hofsommer records the end of branchline passenger service, the demise of electric railroads, the transition from steam to diesel power, as well as the end of common carrier freight service on the Colorado narrow gauge. Off the Main Lines carries readers along out-of-the-way railways in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, and South Dakota to see the changes that occurred on these lines from the 1940s to the 1990s. "If you miss the Milwaukee, recall the Rock Island, suffer from the loss of the Soo Line, maintain sadness for the Santa Fe, can't forget the Frisco, absent-mindedly buried the Burlington Route in oblivion or still maintain romantic recollections of the Katy, you'll find Dr. Hofsommer's Off the Main Lines exactly where you need to be!"— Lexington Quarterly "A fitting tribute to its subject; railroad enthusiasts across the upper Midwest and beyond will find Hofsommer's personalized history to be both edifying and immensely rewarding."— The Annals of Iowa "An interesting blend of historical fact and personal reminiscence, and traces the author's own personal 60-year rail odyssey to a variety of 'off the beaten path' locations."— Michigan Railfan "All in all this is a good photographic essay of some lesser known routes and, as usual, I picked up a few more pieces of information to use at a railroad trivia night."— The Villager

Monte Carlo methods have been used for decades in physics, engineering, statistics, and other fields. Monte Carlo Simulation and Finance explains the nuts and bolts of this essential technique used to value derivatives and other securities. Author and educator Don McLeish examines this fundamental process, and discusses important issues, including specialized problems in finance that Monte Carlo and Quasi-Monte Carlo methods can help solve and the different ways Monte Carlo methods can be improved upon. This state-of-the-art book on Monte Carlo simulation methods is ideal for finance professionals and students. Order your copy today.

A missing groom causes a budding Country Western singer to team up with an unlikely duo and head for Thailand to try and find out what happened to the fiance who had once rescued her from a plane crash. What she learns about his past amazes and scares her, but Jes Darlin pushes on and becomes a big hit in the most crowded refugee camps in the world. Danger, mayhem and tawdry practices await her.

How an Argentine female tennis phenom and an American drug cop twenty years her senior meet in a time of crisis and combine to overcome her kidnapping and rape and thier vast gaps in income and culture to eventually decriminalize drugs in America, defeat a cabal of Argentine generals and become president of that nation until a deadly disease ends their triumphant battle against evil.A must read.

Fly to the Sound of Battle by Don L. Brooks

In the United States alone, 3 to 6 million people have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is the most common cause of generalized pain in general medical practice. Primary care physicians and specialists are often uncomfortable making the diagnosis and uncertain how to proceed with a therapeutic plan. This handbook is timely, with the availability of newer pharmacologic choices for the treatment of fibromyalgia and related disorders.

Presents the archaeological evidence for and historical theories of the exploration of North America by numerous civilizations long before Columbus, discussing seven groups spanning 146 B.C. to 1492.

The Healing of Teddy Bears, by psychotherapist and one-time Christian pastor Don L. Nickerson, calls for the creation of an imaginative faith based on inner consciousness of God, rather than one constructed around external authority, whether Papal, biblical, Islamic, or charismatic claims. Mr. Nickerson illustrates this shift to a highly individuated and creative faith from his own lengthy journey from Christian fundamentalism to mysticism. The author believes that faith, as an authentic, dynamic process, requires "innocence of heart," honesty of intention, and imagination. He is especially interested in the issues of illness, aging, and mortality, and how we shape a less public, but deeper and more personal faith from such experiences. Nickerson jokingly says, "There's something in this book to offend everybody and something that will encourage anybody."

Theory of the Earth is an interdisciplinary advanced textbook on the origin, composition, and evolution of the Earth's interior: geophysics, geochemistry, dynamics, convection, mineralogy, volcanism, energetics and thermal history. This is the only book on the whole landscape of deep Earth processes which ties together all the strands of the subdisciplines. It is a complete update of Anderson's Theory of the Earth (1989). It includes many new sections and dozens of new figures and tables. As with the original book, this new edition will prove to be a stimulating textbook on advanced courses in geophysics, geochemistry, and planetary science, and supplementary textbook on a wide range of other advanced Earth science courses. It will also be an essential reference and resource for all researchers in the solid Earth sciences.

Learn what matter is in this simple introduction.

The popular Rookie Books expand their horizons - to all corners of the globe! With this series all about geography, emergent readers will take off on adventures to cities, nations, waterways, and habitats around the world...and right in their own backyards.

A girl sees many signs of spring in her backyard, including a frog and a bird.

Simple text and illustrations present Dan as man and what he does with his hands and balances things.

This guide to fibromyalgia discusses its various causes and symptoms, the role of stress and other factors, and the different conventional and alternative remedies available.

Describes the creation of a variety of toys and games, from seesaws to Silly Putty and toy soldiers to Trivial Pursuit.

Describes different types of eggs and which animals hatch from them, including birds, butterflies, frogs, alligators, and fish.

Simple text and photographs present the adding and subtracting of a variety of bugs.

Invites the reader to count a variety of animals engaged in different activities.

Photographs and brief text present the alphabet using vocabulary such as apple, bear, and cat.

Introduces a variety of birds for the reader to count and add.

Discover the extraordinary stories behind everyday things! Did you know that the ice cream sundae was invented because of a law forbidding the sale of ice cream on Sundays? Or that the first motorcycle was really just a tricycle with a motor? Would you believe that Mickey Mouse started out as a rabbit? Arranged in alphabetical order with anecdotal, fun-to-read text, this fascinating book is packed with the stories behind these and over 100 more inventions. "[An] entertaining volume of trivia." --Kirkus Reviews

Background stories of fourteen all-time favorite books and their authors are provided with classrom instructions and activities.